Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

bagged and recorded. It’s then taken to the crime lab and signed over to them. Following that, the lab returns the evidence to the investigating law enforcement agency, who locks it up in their own evidence room to await further scrutiny or the trial.”

“Right. So, what did you find?” Curiosity edged with an electricity swirled up through Caitlyn’s body.

“That’s the path that all of our physical evidence in this case took, except for the bullet and its casing.” Colt gripped the cell door with one hand and held two clear evidence bags up in the other. “The sheriff found the casing at the scene the day you showed us the body. He bagged it, as he should, and I assume he logged it appropriately. However, that particular bag did not go to the lab until after I confiscated all the firearms from your family’s ranch, along with your Glock. I brought all the guns back to the office, and Sheriff Tackett took it from there. He sent all the firearms to the crime lab for the ballistics testing.” Colt held up a log form. “It says right here that both this bullet and casing went to the lab with the firearms the same day.”

“But you said the crime scene investigator found the slug that killed Wendy and sent it to the lab.” Caitlyn gaped at him, her breath suspended in her lungs. “But you’re saying they didn't test the bullet until Thursday? How did it get here instead of going to the crime lab?”

“I don’t know for sure, but this slug and casing went to the lab together. Maybe he requested these two pieces of evidence go to the lab at the same time? But either way, the sheriff didn’t take the firearms to the crime lab until the following day—on Friday. Presumably, the bullet and casing were safe in the evidence locker, here in the office. But it’s weird that he didn’t send them to the lab immediately.” Colt stared at her. The implication of his words bounced in the air.

“Could he possibly have requested the slug from the CSI before she sent her evidence to the lab?” She paced. “I think my attorney can make a compelling argument that there has been a gross mishandling of evidence. It might not prove my innocence, but it sure is enough cause for reasonable doubt.” Caitlyn strode the length of the cell and turned. “Speaking of attorneys, I still haven’t had a chance to talk to mine.”

“What? That’s not right. Let me get you the phone.” Colt jogged across the room to the sheriff’s desk and grabbed the phone. “Do you have his number?”

While Catie spoke to her attorney, Colt returned to the evidence room. He took pictures of each individual evidence bag, including each firearm. He then found the evidence log and snapped a photo of that as well. Something wasn’t right, and he intended to find out what it was. By the time he came back into the main office, the sheriff had returned.

“Sheriff, my attorney would like to speak to you.” Caitlyn handed her phone through the bars to Tackett, a smug expression sculpting her mouth.

“Sheriff Tackett, here.”

Colt kept his own face passive as he watched the Sheriff’s coloring go from normal, to red, to puce. By the end of the conversation, the man was pale. He unlocked the jail cell. “You may not have to talk to me until your lawyer gets here, but I believe you’re guilty of murder. Don’t leave town. I’ll be watching you.”

Caitlyn didn’t waste time responding to him. She hurried to the front of the office. With her good hand, she slung her purse over her shoulder, then asked Colt, “Would you please take me to the vet clinic? I need to see Renegade.”

“Of course, come on.” Colt accidentally bumped into the sheriff’s shoulder as he brushed by and noticed the man wince. “Sorry, sir. Are you okay? I didn’t think I hit you that hard.”

“I’m fine,” the sheriff grumbled. “Old football injury. Must be a storm coming in.” Holding his arm, he sat heavily in the chair behind his desk. “As soon as you take Ms. Reed home, get your butt back here. We have a lot to do.”

“Let’s go.” Feeling lighter than he had in hours, Colt opened the door for Caitlyn, and they stepped into the fresh morning air. He still didn’t know if Caitlyn was somehow wound up in the murder, but at least he knew there was something else going on behind the scenes and he prayed it would prove her innocence.

“I’m so relieved.” Caitlyn clutched onto his sleeve. “With the evidence Sheriff Tackett has, I thought he was going to arrest me for sure. I worried I wouldn’t get out of jail since I have no alibi.”

“We’ll figure it all out, Catie. And though I don’t know all that’s going on, I promise I’ll stand by you, no matter what.” He stopped and turned her to face him. It almost hurt to look at her. “I just need you to be completely honest with me. Can you do that?”

Confusion morphed into anger and flashed through Caitlyn’s mahogany eyes as she narrowed them. “I’d feel much better if I thought you believed me, no matter what. I had absolutely nothing to do with Wendy’s murder, nor do I know who did. That is the complete truth.” Caitlyn jerked away from him and strode to his Jeep.

Colt got in the driver’s seat and closed the door. “I want to believe you, Catie. I’m going to find the murderer, and I agree with you on one thing for sure, something about the evidence and the chain of custody is not right.” Colt pulled out onto Main Street and turned toward the veterinarian’s office.

The receptionist was at her desk when they entered the clinic. “I’m Caitlyn Reed. The vet has my dog, Renegade, in the back.” Caitlyn gripped the counter with her good hand. “Is there any news?